A message to all those who love the british countryside, Hadlow college are now offering a superb range of countryside management full time and short courses, so if you've ever fancied having a go at countryside management and want to be working outside with nature try the Hadlow college web site http://www.hadlow.ac.uk/

Thanks for bringing this up, IHIKI. I didn't know Yale offered these. Several look good -- history & lit classes. Ha, funny how my interests haven't changed much in 40 years. Once a history/lit major, always a history/lit major, I guess.

First off, what are your career goals? A 4-year degree and internship is best for becoming a professional, licensed interior designer, qualifying you to do large projects both commercial and residential. You pass a licensing exam, and can do extensive renovations, kitchens and baths, and re-builds. At the other end of the spectrum, a certificate program can give you enough education to become a decorator. You can do furniture layout plans, select furniture, paint color, window and floor coverings, and accessories. How old are you? Are you financially independent or do you have someone who can support you, and your income is extra? Or do you need to support yourself? If you're young and just starting out, then the full-time degree is the most practical. If you're older and someone else is providing the bulk of the income, then you have the luxury of completing the certificate program and trying your luck at working in a small firm or furniture retailer, then going out on your own. Do you know any interior designers or decorators? I'd speak with them about the options. Also contact the schools you are considering and ask what their graduates are doing now. As far as online courses go, I prefer face-to-face teaching/learning. You get more personal attention, and your teachers can be a great networking source. Good luck!

There are a couple of quite decent DIY landscape design books I could recommend. Neither would win an award as an LD text for a professional but both do go through the principles, elements and the process of landscape design in enough detail to give you a well-rounded introduction and help you to develop your own design plan. Both also have sections on plant selection and some simple structural how-to's. Although neither is a particularly recent publication, both are currently available through Amazon. New Complete Guide to Landscaping - Better Homes and Gardens Creative Home Landscaping - Ortho Books